Fading Daylight

Can someone please tell me where the summer went!? I move out in three days and start school in a week! There's still so much to do, I feel as if every ray of sunlight is precious time. The days of bare feet and suntan lines are gradually slipping away. My goal this summer was to not allow myself to be bored for even one day. Well, I'm happy to say that I definitely accomplished that goal. However, I've been so busy that the thought of "hitting the books" again is no where in sight. But with only limited days of freedom and sunshine, who could blame me? My favorite part of summer is the beginning. The excitement for the unknown of what adventures will occur in the 2 1/2 months of careless fun. Never is one summer quite the same as another. And as I look back on this past summer, it may not have been what I had anticipated or expected, I might not have spent it with the people I intended or done the things I assumed I would; but it was no less enjoyable, rewarding, or spontaneous than the last. And although I'm going to miss my numerous trips to Seven Peaks, Snowasis, and my beloved cabin on Hebgen Lake; I couldn't be more excited to begin and document a completely new adventure--college.  So until next time (which will probably be when I can officially call myself a BYU Cougar!!!) That's all folks!

Huh?

Alright so my internet has been having issues for what seems like EVER!!! It just happens to be working at this moment so I thought I better take the chance to quickly write before it gets all screwed up again. So I went shopping with a friend today and I swear every time I go somewhere with this person something random seems to happen--something that just makes you want to say, "Huh?” Today, we were on our way home and I was in the middle of telling a story at a stop light when the car in front of us suddenly opened it's doors and the passengers ran around the car, switched drivers, and then drove off. After this sudden event we both realized I had stopped mid sentence for about two minutes just staring at what was going on in front of us and I had completely forgotten what I was talking about. Who knows? Haha. Anyways, it got me thinking about the numerous amounts of random things that happen in one's day that we don't even notice. If we paid attention to all the "out of the blue" sort of things that happen each and everyday, I think (at least for me) my life would consist of lot more humor and laughs. It just shows that when you really pay attention to your surroundings and take into consideration how ironic and comical life can be, it makes for a much more enjoyable day. So that is my new goal, to notice all the silly moments in my life that I would have usually over-looked.

“I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells.  Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living, it's a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope.  Which is what I do, and that enables you to laugh at life's realities.”  ~Theodore Geisel

“Discovery consists of seeing what everybody has seen and thinking what nobody has thought.” 
~Albert Szent-Györgyi

The "F" Word

"Doesn't designing all these wedding dresses ever make you think about getting married again; or at least make you think about the "f" word?
The "f" word?
My father!"

If you don't know what movie this quote is from, then I don't know what planet you live on! Lindsay Lohan depicts a young teenage twin deprived from knowing her father in the classic movie, "The Parent Trap." Well unlike Annie James (Lohan's character) I do know my father! And since it's Father's Day, I found it only appropriate that I post something about my dad. So this one's for him, even though he doesn't even read this blog. 

From the the first time he held me, to the tickle fights as a toddler, piggy back rides, bedtime stories, letting me drive the boat, calling me "little princess", dancing to when he played the piano, my baptism day, gifts from all his travels, our midnight snacks of nachos and caprese salad, oldies music education until 1am, finishing Spanish homework--also until 1am, extensive amounts of sarcasm, and the act of giving a hug and asking him how his day was that drew me to tears are just a few of the sweetest moments I ever spent with my dad. My dad has never been one to share a lot of affection or emotion towards his children but through his hard work, strong testimony, and desire to make his children into strong and respectable people, he has shown me more love than he'll probably ever know. It's not as common these days to find a father who comes home from work to a wife and kids and fulfills the duties of a provider, protector, and worthy priesthood holder. So thank you Dad! for being all those things, all my life, and being the greatest example to me. Here's a poem that I found that basically sums up exactly what I wanted to say...and it even rhymes! haha

Life Lessons

You may have thought I didn't see,

Or that I hadn't heard,

Life lessons that you taught to me,

But I got every word.

Perhaps you thought I missed it all,

And that we'd grow apart,

But Dad, I picked up everything,

It's written on my heart.

Without you, Dad, I wouldn't be

The person I am today;

You built a strong foundation

No one can take away.

I've grown up with your values,

And I'm very glad I did;

So here's to you, dear father,

From your forever grateful kid.

By Joanna Fuchs

I am so beyond grateful for having the Father I do, and I know for a fact I don't let him know it enough. So I hope whoever reads this, even if it isn't Father's Day, to let your Dad know you love him! And I promise I'll do the same :)

Love you Dad,

Happy Father's Day!

Reliving the Past

I went to the Orem festival last night with some friends. I think the last time I went to the Orem festival I was around ten years old. As we drove down the streets that I've ridden on for 18 years and walked through the park that I spent my childhood summers at--climbing trees and going to baseball games. A flood of memories streamed into my mind. I got that empty feeling in my stomach that you get when you miss someone or something. I thought it was the place that I missed...but I realized it was my childhood. Then I smiled a little inside when I thought, I had the best childhood anyone could ask for! Usually we express grattitude for the things we have...well today, I'm grateful for what I had. I'm grateful for the chance I got to live a worry free childhood. Several people close to me did not have that same opportunity and my heart goes out to them. I'm lucky to be able to go back to where I grew up and have pleasant memories of that place. It's one of the sadest things for me to hear when someone says they had a hard childhood. No one should have to go through some of the things these people had to go through as a child. So from this day on, I'm making it a goal of mine to make sure my future children have the best childhood I can provide them with. Once again; you get one life, one chance, one childhood--so live like you'll die tomorrow and dream like you'll live forever.

 

Food for Thought

Memory is a way of holding onto the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to lose.
~ From the television show The Wonder Years

The greatest poem ever known
Is one all poets have outgrown:
The poetry, innate, untold,
Of being only four years old.
~Christopher Morley, To a Child

We do not remember days; we remember moments. 

~Cesare Pavese, The Burning Brand

Nothing is more memorable than a smell. One scent can be unexpected, momentary and fleeting, yet conjure up a childhood summer beside a lake in the mountains; another, a moonlit beach; a third, a family dinner of pot roast and sweet potatoes during a myrtle-mad August in a Midwestern town.  Smells detonate softly in our memory like poignant land mines hidden under the weedy mass of years.  Hit a tripwire of smell and memories explode all at once.  A complex vision leaps out of the undergrowth. 

~Diane Ackerman, A Natural History of the Senses

Conversations

I just love long conversations! Whether its on a long walk, drive, or just sitting on the porch. Afterwards I heave a satisfying sigh and get that sweet feeling of accomplishment, like I wasn't just wasting minutes of my life--I learned a little bit more about someone, strengthened a friendship, and lived a moment that won't be forgotten. People are so interesting to me. I am intrigued by their behavior and fascinated by their past.  We never truly know a person absolutely, but discovering what life has thrown at them and how it has impacted their life, amplifies my appreciation and respect for individuals. We all experience such different journeys in life and yet, so many situations are the same! We all have different stories to tell that contain wisdom, advice, and experiences that others can relate to and learn from. All we need to do is open our mouths and share! If you diligently watch American Idol, then you'll have heard of a man named Chris Medina. If you haven't--then I encourage you to look up his audition on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehb5nQk5xCo). His inspiring story is one of many I've been impacted by. I think that we go through hard times in life not only for ourselves but for others benefit as well. So even if it's as casual as a conversation in the car...share what you have to say, because you don't know when you'll be changing someone elses life because of the changes made in yours.

Food for Thought

“It is good to have an end to journey towards; but it is the journey that matters in the end.”
-Ursula K. Le Guin

“Every day you may make progress. Every step may be fruitful. Yet there will stretch out before you an ever-lengthening, ever-ascending, ever-improving path. You know you will never get to the end of the [journey]. But this, so far from discouraging, only adds to the joy and glory of the climb."
-Winston Churchill

 “Everyone has his own specific voaction or mission in life… Therein he cannot be re­placed, nor can his life be repeated. Thus, everyone’s task is as unique as is his specific opportunity to implement it.”

– Viktor Frankl